Bailey Smith was not entirely joking when he said he was going to ‘get on the p***’ with mates after Geelong flogged the Brisbane Lions to reach a grand final qualifier.
The Cats dominated from the outset as they shrugged off the demons of last year’s preliminary final loss to the Lions, prevailing 16.16 (112) to 11.8 (74) in front of 86,364 at the MCG on Friday night.
And Smith stole the show with his comments after the match, telling Channel 7’s Abbey Holmes that he was pretty keen to get away from footy and into the drinks with friends.
When asked if he would be watching other games in the two weeks before the Cats’ next big match, he revealed that he probably wouldn’t.
‘I’ll probably get on the p*** for a bit, relax the mind and hang out with my mates,’ he said.
‘I haven’t seen them in awhile, so I’ll do that. Just get prepared mentally for what’s to come.’
Bailey Smith celebrates the Geelong Cats win over the Brisbane Lions that has propelled them into another preliminary final
After the match, Smith told Channel 7’s Abbey Holmes that he would be ‘getting on the p***’ with his friends
Smith delivered on his promise, although it appeared he stuck to the waters while his mates enjoyed an alcoholic drink or two
Any thoughts the comments were tongue-in-cheek were quickly put to bed as Smith posted images with friends doing precisely what he said he was going to do.
He shared an image with his quotes after the match to his Instagram Story, along with a pic with friends and the caption ‘long overdue’.
Geelong fans can breathe a sigh of relief, though, as Smith appeared to be sticking to the waters while enjoying time with his mates.
He may have enjoyed a couple of alcoholic drinks, though, with the superstar midfielder revealing his label Barry was releasing a new flavour that night.
Barry is an alcoholic drink brand that creates low calories, low carb vodka drinks, put together by Smith and fellow AFL stars Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos and Charlie Curnow.
There was no sign of his new flame, fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow, though.
Smith and Hembrow have been the talk of social media for weeks now after a loved-up date on the Gold Coast followed by an intimate dinner in Melbourne last week.
Hembrow is back in Melbourne this weekend, but was seemingly absent from the boys night after Geelong’s huge win.
Smith has been an important addition to the Cats’ midfield and is now one game away from a Grand Final
Smith’s new flame, fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow, was spotted in Carlton on Thursday, but did not appear to be part of the boys night on Friday
Smith sent the rumour mill into overdrive when he was missing from training during the week, but he was just hiding from the cameras to avoid distractions
Hembrow was spotted in ritzy Carlton on Thursday night before the match, though, wearing a daring outfit. It is the second week in a row she has travelled down to Melbourne.
With their seventh straight win, Geelong, who join Collingwood in the final four, earn a week off before a remarkable 14th AFL preliminary final in 19 years.
Last weekend, they enjoyed a date night at French restaurant Entrecôte, while Smith helped out as Hembrow’s photographer in her hotel room during the week.
Their date included a tender moment with Smith placing his hand on Hembrow’s famous legs.
The Geelong star was a noticeable absentee at training this week during a media call, but it was quickly revealed he was merely waiting for the cameras to leave before joining his teammates, to avoid distractions.
Smith is not the only one playing it cool, with Geelong coach Chris Scott commenting on how the roster’s composure had improved this season.
‘I think to a degree it has. I accept that that is true, but I think a lot of the reason for that would be the natural evolution of some of our younger players in particular,’ he said.
‘Not only the younger ones, but some of those who haven’t had a lot of experience in these big games.
‘Lawson Humphries is in his second year, I think everyone in the world knows now that Shaun Mannagh is 28 but he is still a new player, Connor O’Sullivan.
‘It is quite a big group of guys, I have got a lot of admiration for the way Shannon Neale has developed and become a really important player for us.
‘I think the growth of those guys and the confidence they have got in their game has not only helped us generally, but it gives us even more confidence in the big moments that they are not going to be overawed.’
